Liverpool icon Ian Rush has expressed deep regret over his inability to attend the funeral of Diogo Jota, following the Portuguese forward’s tragic death in a car accident in Spain. The funeral was held in Gondomar, Portugal, on Saturday, drawing a solemn crowd of current and former Liverpool players as well as supporters mourning the loss of one of the club’s most beloved modern forwards.
Rush, a revered figure at Anfield and Liverpool’s all-time leading goal scorer, was notably absent from the ceremony due to a personal tragedy of his own. The Welsh legend recently lost his older brother, Gerald, and was in the midst of funeral preparations when the devastating news about Jota’s passing reached him.
“I was invited to Diogo’s funeral, but with the passing of my brother, it was impossible to go. I’m still struggling to accept it,” Rush shared. “To be honest, it’s been difficult to take. I was preparing for Gerald’s funeral when I heard about Diogo. These past few days have been extremely hard.”
The emotional weight of recent events also brought back painful memories of Hillsborough, the 1989 stadium disaster in Sheffield that claimed 97 lives. Rush reflected on Liverpool’s culture of unity in times of sorrow. “At Liverpool, we’ve always considered ourselves one big family. Now that a member of our family is gone, we have to unite and support each other,” he said. “It doesn’t matter who you are a player or a fan we’re all together in grief.”
Jota, who joined Liverpool in 2020 and quickly became a key contributor to the team’s success, was remembered not only for his footballing brilliance but also for his character. “Diogo was a great player, probably the best forward at the club. He always gave 100 percent,” Rush noted. “He made a difference whether starting or coming off the bench. He was very down-to-earth, a true gentleman. We will miss him dearly.”
Rush also acknowledged the emotional toll the loss has taken on Jota’s teammates, who are soon expected to return to training. “It’s especially difficult for the players. They’re expected to carry on with their work, but they’re only human beings who feel like the rest of us. Sometimes the true weight of a loss hits us weeks later. Diogo will never be forgotten because he embodied everything Liverpool stands for.”
The funeral was attended by manager Arne Slot, captain Virgil van Dijk, and several key players including Andy Robertson, Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez, and Alexis Mac Allister, as well as club legends James Milner and Jordan Henderson a collective tribute to a player who left a profound mark both on and off the pitch.
